Real Betis will need to “crowdfund” to keep Antony beyond his half-season loan from Manchester United, team-mate Isco has suggested.
Isco, the former Real Madrid midfielder, was full of praise for arguably the most expensive flop in United’s history after watching him play a lead role in Betis’s 2-1 derby win over Sevilla on Sunday.
“We’ll have to crowdfund to bring him back for another year,” Isco was quoted as saying by Diario de Sevilla. He added: “He’s surprised us all with his humility and the way he helps us. There’s been a change since he arrived, and we have to keep doing things right.”
Spanish media have been impressed with Antony and El Correo said he was a “rocket” in the win over Sevilla. “In the second half, he didn’t tire of running and trying to score. [Orjan] Nyland saved a shot from him from outside the area,” it said, awarding Antony seven out of 10 in its match ratings.
El Desmarque said that Antony was “always a nuisance” while El Pespunte said: “He put in a very serious and committed performance.”
Antony became the latest player to flourish after escaping from United when the £86 million man scored three times in his first four appearances for Betis. That helped the Brazilian equal his goal contributions from his last 29 games for United in less than a third of the playing time. The goals have dried up since – he has just one in his past eight matches – and he was also sent off at Getafe, although Betis successfully appealed against a subsequent suspension.
But his overall performances have continued to draw praise and he has been among the top performers in Spain in terms of chances created since his move.
Anthony’s revival since leaving the United cauldron has mirrored that of Scott McTominay, who has been a revelation since his £35 million move to Napoli at the end of August. The midfielder has scored seven times in just 28 appearances – averaging a goal every four games – to help propel his new club to second place in Serie A. The academy graduate managed 29 goals in 255 matches (a goal every nine ...
